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Angels Turn to Sam Bachman for First Save, a Name to Monitor in Open Committee?
The Los Angeles Angels' closing situation has been a revolving door in 2026, but Sam Bachman received his opportunity on Sunday and delivered. He tossed a clean inning, needing only 11 pitches and tossing nine of them for strikes. Although this was Bachman's first save of the season, he has had three opportunities, and now the Angels have nine pitchers who have recorded a save opportunity. This season, Bachman has been sharp, with a 3.63 ERA (3.30 xERA), 1.21 WHIP, and elite fastball velocity (97th percentile). His stuff remains high-end, as evidenced by his whiff rate (33.6 percent) and strikeout rate (24.3 percent), but his control is at times inconsistent (11.8 percent). At this point, Bachman should be considered nothing more than a speculation add for fantasy managers, as we don't have much of a track record to suggest Bachman will take over, as this was his second career save and the Angels have not been consistent whatsoever with their bullpen, but Bachman is one to keep an eye on in deeper leagues where saves are scarece, especially if we start to notice a trend of him getting more opportunities.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
